News

Industry and government applaud next-generation IEQ laboratory

By David Gunther

3 September 2012

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and Minister for Industry and Innovation, Greg Combet, officially launched on Friday the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning's new Indoor Environmental Quality laboratory.

Minister Combet said the facility combined both of his portfolios and was a demonstration of how technology and science form part of the government's response to the challenge of climate change.

"This facility ... give[s] governments the technical resources to test energy efficiency and indoor quality measurement systems that are embedded into the National Australian Built Environment Rating System," Combet said.

The laboratory's director, Professor Richard de Dear, said the launch reflects the dedication of the Faculty's research and administrative teams.

"The launch was a great success. We have received much positive feedback from industry and media. One of our donors flew in from Beijing for the event and was very impressed at the way we had spent their generous donation," de Dear said.

"This facility reflects an enduring approach to sustainability that is embedded in all programs at the Faculty. I am delighted to guide this laboratory and its research team as we strive towards better built environments."

Indoor Environmental Quality is a field of research that combines studies of comfort with the science of sustainability. It examines how heat, light, ventilation, acoustics and air pollutants impact on human experiences of indoor spaces and how we can best use technology to drive comfort and productivity.

"Comfort and sustainability are enmeshed in our approaches to the built environment," de Dear said. "It's a conversation that is long overdue and this lab will give us the technical knowledge to provide sustainable solutions as the world addresses the challenges of global urbanisation.